Published in 1719, it is the first book on ichthyology whose illustrations are in color. It is a commission dedicated by the publisher Louis Renard to the serene and very powerful Prince George, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. Composed of two volumes, it presents fish, crawfish and crabs of various colors and extraordinary figures found around the Maluku Islands and on the coast of the southern lands. This unusual collection consists of a selection of illustrations made by nature over a period of 30 years by the painter Samuel Fallours.

This book is a faithful reproduction of a work published before 1920 and is part of a collection of books reprinted at the request edited by Hachette Livre, in the framework of a partnership with the National Library of France, offering the opportunity of access to old and often rare books from the BnF's heritage funds. The works in this collection have been digitized by the BnF and are presented on Gallica, its digital library.

By undertaking to revive these works through a collection of books reprinted on demand, we give them the opportunity to meet an expanded public and participate in the transmission of knowledge and knowledge sometimes difficult to access.

We have tried to reconcile the faithful reproduction of an old book from its digitalized version with the concern of an optimal reading comfort. We hope that the works of this new collection will bring you complete satisfaction.

French National Library Editions are authorized editions through Hachette France for works in the French National Library Catalog.

For more information, visit www.hachettebnf.fr